Pressure mounts on Turkey to drop charges against Pelin Ünker

MEPs from across political groups in the European Parliament have demanded that charges brought against investigative journalist Pelin Ünker be dropped. A number of charges were brought against the journalist after she reported facts resulting from the Paradise Papers. The complainants in the case acknowledged the facts reported by Ünker to be true.

A declaration signed by 66 MEPs described the charges against Ünker as a “further blow to media freedom and freedom of expression in Turkey”. Ünker was sentenced to 13 months imprisonment and fined ₺8,860 for defamation and insult in one case, and ₺30,000 in another, and other judicial proceedings are ongoing.

Ünker visited Malta two weeks ago as a guest of MEP David Casa. During her visit she met with activists and journalists to share experiences on the increasing international challenges to media freedom. Ünker also addressed the Daphne Caruana Galizia vigil.

Partit Nazzjonalista's Head of Delegation in the European Parliament David Casa stated: “I condemn the treatment of Pelin Ünker by the Turkish authorities. These cruel charges should be dropped without further delay. Journalists should not have to be subjected to this treatment for doing their jobs. The European Parliament will continue to closely monitor Pelin Ünker’s case."

The case against Pelin Ünker will continue this afternoon in Istanbul.